Monday, January 20, 2014

We finally had some investigators come to church. We had six on
Sunday.

I got sick this week again. Wasn't too fun. I lost a lot of weight
again. I had been working out pretty hard the past couple of weeks but will
have to start over.

The new chapel should be dedicated this week. That
should make the work a little easier.

We usually teach at least a few lessons a day. The majority of the time
it's either the Restoration, the Gospel, or sabbath day. I'm trying out this
new idea where I've got a sheet of questions that is answered by one of the
lessons. For example, if the person chooses the question "Why are there so many
churches today and how can a know which is true?" we teach them the first lesson
on the Restoration. Or if they pick "Where did I come from? Why am I here?
Where will I go after dying?" we teach the 2nd lesson on the Plan of Salvation,
etc.

Our focus lately has been bringing members to all the lessons. It's not
always easy, but it's a lot easier for the members to hermanar(?) [fellowship]
them when they already know who the person is and it's not just some name on a
progress report.

Information for mailing packages to Elder Chase

If you ship a package with a private courier, you will need this phone number 57 2-892-1709

This is the mission office address. You may mail letters and packages to this address.
To mail a letter of normal size and weight it costs 98 cents to mail it here.
You can use the church pouch mail for letters at the following address:

Elder Brandon Chase

Colombia Cali Mission

POB 30150

Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150

Pouch Mail Instructions: To prevent possible fines, only postcards and letters that are single sheet, folded into three-panels, and taped at the top only (no envelopes) may be sent through the pouch. Packages cannot be sent through pouch mail.
I think using US Mail is less expensive and just fine...I would NOT use their priority shipping as it seems to be more expensive.
Here are some hints we have learned about the mail system to/from Colombia:
It is better to send things in padded envelopes rather than boxes.

If the packages weigh less than 2 kilos (about 4 lbs) they usually arrive without the missionary having to pay a fee to get it out of customs.

You should declare ANY package at a value LESS than about $20 to also avoid paying a customs fee.
Most letters and packages are taking about 14 or 15 days to arrive.
Our missionaries have to PAY ON TOP of what you have paid to ship...just to receive the package... IF it is too heavy or worth a lot. It is better to send 2 envelopes than to pay a lot and send a big box.
Mail leaving Colombia for the USA is VERY VERY expensive. I tried to mail a regular letter to my brother and they wanted 77 mil pesos or about 40 dollars to mail it. I did NOT mail it.
The best way to communicate with your missionary is via email.

If you want to put money on a debit card he brought with him....that is also an excellent gift.
Once a package arrives in the office it can take up to a month to get it out to the missionary as our mission is SO big and we have to wait until we can get it to the zone leaders at a conference.
If you want to send something for Christmas, plan accordingly for the time it might take and mark the package FOR CHRISTMAS.